St. John's Preschool

Inspection of St. John's Preschool The Reading Room, School Lane, St. Johns, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 1SB

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children confidently enter the preschool. They run in eagerly and say 'hello' to the staff. They know the routine and what to expect on arrival which supports children to feel confident and secure as they know what is expected of them. Additionally, staff use strategies such as visual timetables to help children, including those with English as an additional language and special educational needs and/or disabilities, to understand what is coming next. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children are supported well to manage their emotions. Staff talk to them and read stories that help children to understand how they are feeling. For example, while listening to a story about emotions, staff help children to make the connection between feeling 'yellow' and happy. This has a positive impact on children and is reflected in their good behaviour. This prepares them well for future learning.

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The provision is good

Children learn about healthy lifestyles. For instance, at mealtimes, staff talk to them about the importance of eating nutritious food, such as fruit. Furthermore, children spend long periods of time enjoying the exciting and stimulating outdoor learning area, where they benefit from fresh air. Staff plan activities to help children develop their physical skills, such as strengthening their leg muscles when they use the swings and see-saw.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have a good understanding of what they want to children to learn. The curriculum is sequenced well and builds on what children know. For example, staff have introduced the names of plants and flowers as children play in the garden centre role play area. To extend the learning further, children sow and grow their own seeds. n Children develop a love of books and enhance their early reading skills. Staff read stories to children in an exciting and engaging way. This is demonstrated when children listen attentively as a member of staff narrates and sings the story of the 'Three Billy Goats Gruff'. Furthermore, children enthusiastically join in as they knock sticks together to make the noise of the goats going over the bridge. n Staff closely monitor children's development. They use assessment well to plan children's next steps in learning. However, these are not always shared with

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need to do better?

parents when they are updated. This means that at times staff do not make sure parents are fully informed about what their child is ready to learn next, so they can continue this at home. n Staff promote children's self-esteem and confidence well. For instance, they help children to celebrate their achievements, such as giving them a sticker when they demonstrate their good writing skills.

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need to do better?

8 May 2024 n Children form strong bonds with their key person. Additionally, staff get to know all the children in the preschool well. This enables children to feel safe and secure with all adults in the absence of their key person. n Staff are very caring and frequently check in with children throughout the day to see how they are feeling. This helps to assure children's emotional well-being. n Staff plan effectively to ensure children have a wide variety of ways to explore and investigate. The activities and resources help to improve children's concentration and support them to take risks which helps to build their resilience. For example, children persist with balancing on planks and tyres until they can successfully walk from one end to another. n Staff support children to learn about the wider world and celebrate diversity. For example, children have painted paper plate faces which reflect people from all

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need to do better?

around the world. Furthermore, it helps children to begin to understand their own uniqueness. n Staff feel well supported by the new manager. They report that she regularly checks on their well-being and workload. However, supervision and performance management processes do not always precisely identify staff training needs, to improve the quality of teaching even further. n The manager has a clear vision for the preschool. She evaluates the service which helps her to identify areas for development. For example, the staff team have reviewed the environment to better support the needs of children and make best use of space.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n review and improve arrangements for sharing information with parents about their child's progress and next steps, to fully support home learning n strengthen processes for supervision and staff performance monitoring to help identify training needs of staff to raise the quality of teaching even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109509 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10335279 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person St John's Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01892 664214 Date of previous inspection 11 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

St John's Preschool is situated in Crowborough, East Sussex. It operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm during term time only. The setting employs six members of staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status and four hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3. The provider receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of snack time with the manager. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

8 May 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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